Marcella Ruth Kankey

Marcella R Bagwell Kankey, 89 years old of North Richland Hills, passed into Heaven on January 30th, 2025. Marcella was born on August 15th, 1935 in Boswell, Arkansas, to Beatrice Hagar Bagwell and Myrle E. Bagwell.

Marcella graduated Calico Rock High School in 1953. While in high school she met the love of her life, Vaughn Gaylon Kankey of Oxford, Arkansas. After high school, Marcella moved to Houston, Texas to live with her sister, Loretta, and worked at East Side Bank before marrying Gaylon on February 26th, 1955.

Marcella and Gaylon lived in Victoria, Texas, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, El Paso, Texas, Albuquerque, New Mexico, and then moved to Fort Worth, Texas in 1965 with their children, Deborah Kankey Blount and Vaughn Gregory Kankey. Marcella was an active member of North Richland Hills Baptist Church, now Cross Church NRH. She also volunteered at several Christian ministries and taught Backyard Bible classes and after school programs about Jesus Christ.

Marcella was preceded in death by her dear husband of 67 years, Vaughn Gaylon Kankey in October 2022. Also preceding her were her parents Myrle and Beatrice Bagwell and her sister, Loretta Bagwell Poston.

Marcella's calling in life was to be a wife, mother, and homemaker with enthusiasm; using her talents for sewing, cooking, quilting, and bargain shopping; as well as caring for and supporting Gaylon, Deborah, and Greg in all they did together as a family and individually. She embraced her role as Grandmother to all five of her grandchildren with joy as she spoiled them with treats, playtime, and unconditional love.

But Marcella's greatest joy in her life was accepting Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord through God's grace and mercy. She loved to learn more and grow closer to Jesus through bible study, prayer, and sharing Jesus with children and adults.

Marcella is survived by her children Deborah Kankey Blount and husband Robert Blount and Greg Kankey and wife Tauna Huntley Kankey. Grandchildren: Steven Crandall, Matthew Crandall, Rachel Kankey, Rebecca Kankey and Jacob Kankey. She is also survived by her siblings Armilda McCormack of Walawala, Washington, Nettie Tipton of Mountain Home, Arkansas, and Lonnie Bagwell of Norfork, Arkansas. Marcella has a number of in-laws, cousins, nieces, and nephews that will also miss her hugs, smiles, prayers, and visits at family gatherings.

Everytime she was with family she said, "This is so special." She knew the importance of in person, face to face time together. Now she can see Jesus, face to face, and bow down to her Lord and Savior. She was looking forward to her most "Special Time".

Services for Marcella will take place Wednesday, February 5th, 2025 at Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home 5725 Colleyville Blvd. Colleyville, TX 76034. Visitation will take place at 2 p.m. and will be followed by a 3 p.m. memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial contribution to Cross Church NRH.